Stanley Goosby, PDC Chief Scientist, provides training for representatives of
17 Pacific nations and state governments.
To prepare Pacific Island water resource managers to better understand and plan for the potential devastating impacts of tropical cyclones on local water infrastructures, the Pacific Disaster Center provided natural hazards training and exercise expertise as part of a larger ten-day training, Building the Foundation: Leadership Seminar for Pacific Island Water Managers, conducted at the East-West Center in Honolulu.
Says Allen Clark, Executive Director of the Pacific Disaster Center, "The collaboration with the East-West Center provided water managers from around the region with training and information of significant value and impact. It also had the added benefit of bringing island managers together to create a Pacific-wide network from which they can continue to share important experiences. From this seminar, sound practices have emerged to help protect vital water infrastructures during a disaster."
As one aspect of the training, a tabletop exercise was conducted that simulated the rapid onset of a major cyclone. Participants discussed necessary preparations and action plans, and explored the potential losses that could be sustained by island water infrastructures.
Comments PDC Chief Scientist Stanley Goosby, "The training provided an overview of the tools, applications, methodologies, and data requirements that are critical for determining the impact of natural hazards in the region. It was clear that the participants walked away with real knowledge they could apply at the local level."
Seventeen island nations and state governments from throughout the Pacific region participated including: America Samoa; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Cook Islands; Fiji; Guam; Kiribati; the Marshall Islands; Niue; Palau; Papua New Guinea; the Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; Independent State of Samoa; and Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap states in the Federated States of Micronesia.
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